Most of us converse through email and social media; however, nothing replaces the face-to-face social experience. Here’s why.

Editor talks about building a non-virtual community.

BY PHILL FELTHAM

I’m not usually at a loss for words, but I must say at The Weekly Wanderer‘s 100th issue party, I was speechless. My friends, family, and the Wanderer’s writers and editors wanted to celebrate this important milestone with me. In other words, people attended the celebration, because it meant something to them.

I have met most of the Wanderer’s editors and writers, but because so many of us live overseas, we have never had the opportunity to mingle like we did at the TWW 100th issue celebration. Some writers and editors have never met each other at all. With that thought in mind, I had an epiphany: get away from the computer.

My contributors and I converse via email without much social interaction. However, meeting face to face added another dimension to the Wanderer. Community. Now, our mission statement has changed: We are a group of people who are passionate about travel, getting together, as well as sharing past experiences and current plans for future travel.

Photo: Members of the TWW family (Karli Vezina, Phill Feltham, & Janet Moore)

I want to thank everyone who came to the TWW 100th issue party. You have really made a difference to a writer and editor who loves this publication and the industry it’s meant for–it’s only going to get better from here. IT!